Nairobi, Kenya — Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has been released on a cash bail of Ksh.200,000 after denying hate speech charges at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday
Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai granted the bail, offering an alternative bond of Ksh.500,000. Salasya’s legal team, led by Ken Echesa, argued that the MP’s arrest was conducted in a “barbaric manner,” claiming they were denied access to their client during his detention.
Salasya recounted a harrowing experience on May 16, stating that his convoy was ambushed along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway by approximately 15 masked individuals armed with AK-47 rifles, who identified themselves as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He alleged that the attackers shot at his vehicle, deflated its tyres, disarmed his security team, and took him into custody.
“I have just been attacked by unknown individuals claiming to be DCI officers,” Salasya posted on his social media. “They disarmed my security team, shot at my vehicle, and pursued me. One of my guards managed to help me flee into nearby bushes for safety.”
The MP’s lawyer, Ken Echesa, condemned the use of security forces to suppress political dissent, suggesting that the arrest was politically motivated to hinder Salasya’s 2027 presidential ambitions. “Using the police to abduct young leaders, who have shown interest in the liberation of their country, is uncalled for,” Echesa stated outside the courtroom.
Police have denied involvement in the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the alleged ambush remains unclear.
The court is set to rule on June 4 regarding the reinstatement of Salasya’s bodyguards and the return of his confiscated firearms and mobile phones.
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